Electric operating mechanism



Nov. 3, 1921. 1,648,741

C. L. PERRY ELECTRIC OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2. z!

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' Inventor- Charles LPer-r'g 9 His Atfibr'neg- C. L. PERRY ELECTRIC OPERATING MECHANISM Nov. 8, 1927.

Filed March 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor- 1 Charles 1'... Perry. y fiwwd- His Attorney.

Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. PERRY, F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed March 5, 1924. Serial No. 697,132.

My invention relates to electric operating mechanism and articularly to such mechanism for a mova le device such as a switch member or the like.

Although not limited thereto, my invention is particularly applicable to an electric operating mechanism requiring a large amount of energy to operate the movable device. It is the object of my invention so to construct such a mechanism that after it has placed the movable device in operative position a relatively small amount of energy is required to hold it in such position.

In order to accomplish this, my invention consists in a novel and improved electric operating mechanism.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a. better understanding of my invention and the advantages thereof, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an electric operating mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 3 and 4. are diagrammatic views of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of an electric operating mecha nism built in accordance with my invention and adapted to operate a plurality of electric switches; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the electric operating mechanism of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 showing the electrical connections.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, 10 designates a movable device, which in the particular arrangement shown is an electric switch and has operatively connected thereto a toggle mechanism 11 having elements or links 17, 18 and 19. A plurality of separately operable mechanisms shown as electro-responsive devices 15 and 16 control the straightening of the toggle to move the device 10 into operative position. The operation of the device 15 depends upon the prior operation of the device 16, the electrical connections being so interlocked that the device 15 is not energized until after the device 16 is energized, as will be hereinafter explained. Upon the energization of th d mo-r ponsive de vice 16, the element 17 of the toggle is moved thereby and places the toggle mechanism 11 in conditlon to be straightened, as shown 1n dotted lines Fig. 1- and also in Fig. 3. The energization of the second electron:- sponslve device 15, moves the element 18 of the toggle and straightens the same, as

shown in full lines in Fig. 1, thereby moving the movable device 10 into operative positlon; that 1s, in this case, closing the switch 1( The straightening of the toggle mechanlsm dc-energizes the device 15 by means of the limit switch 27, the toggle remaining in the straightened position keeping the switch 10 closed and under the control of the electro-responsive device 16. Upon deenergization of the device 16, the toggle is broken and the switch is returned to the inoperative or open position.

With this arrangement, it will be readily seen that the amount of energy required to move the element 17 of the toggle mechanism into the position where the toggle is 1n condition to be straightened is small. On the other hand the amount of energy requlred to move the element 18 into straightened position'is considerably larger and requires a much larger electro-responsive device. The toggle is so constructed that the continued energization of the device 15 is notnecessary to maintain the toggle in this position, the energization of the device 16 being only necessary for this purpose. Therefore, the energy required to hold the element 17 in position after the toggle is straightened is small, and in fact smaller than that necessary to place the toggle into the position Where the toggle is in condition therefore be seen that only a small amount of power is necessary to hold my electric operating mechanism in operative position as compared to that necessary for placing the mechanism in operative position.

My construction also lends itself to one in which a single electro-responsive device 15 is arranged to operate a plurality of toggle mechanisms 11, 11 each of which is placed in condition to be straightened by its own electro-responsive device 16 or 16 as shown in Figs. v5, 6, and 7. Such a construction will operate in the same way as described above.

Referring to the structure shown in Figs.

1 to 4;, more in detail, the toggle mechanism I to be straightened by the device 15. It will 11 comprises a plurality of links 17, 18, and

19, which are p'ivotally secured together at their ends. Thelower link 17 is pivoted to a stationary support 20 and the upper link is secured to a rocker arm 21, which is the operating lever of the switch 10. The intermediate link 18 is formed as a bell crank lever havin an extending .arm 22. The lower end link 18 has a floating pivot 12 on the up er end of the lower link 17 and the upper en is pivotally connected to the lower end of link 19. The electro-responsive devices 15 and 16 are both shown as electro-' be connected directly to the switch.

When the switch contacts 44 and 45 are closed the toggle mechanism will assume the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1, and

magnets. The device 16 has an armature 24 \t he toggle mechanism will be held in this connected to the link 17 by a rod by which this link is moved from the position shown in Fig.4 to the position shown in Figs. 1

and 3. The arm 22 of link 18 is adapted to be moved upwardly b the armature 23 of the device 15 to comp etc the straightening of the toggle.

The armature 24 of the electro-responsive device 16 is also connected to a switch having normally open contacts 26 which control the energization of the electric circuit of the main electro-responsive means 15 and prevent its operation before the pivot-end of link 17 is moved into its operative position. A limit switch 27 having a set of normally closed contacts 28 is mounted on the channel members14 and is provided with a plunger 29 which engagesthe .upper end of the bell crank link 18. When the toggle is extended the plunger 29 is pushed inwardly and opens the contacts 28 thereby deenergizing the main electro-responsive means 15.

The channel members 14 of the supporting frame of my electric operating mechanism sup ort an abutment 33 which cooperates wit the floating pivot, at the heel of link 18, for causing the toggle to collapse when the floating pivot is permitted to move out of operative position due to deenergization of the electro-responsive device 16.

The pivot-end of link 17 moves between a stop 30 and a point where the armature 24 of electro-magnetic means 16 closes. This stop 30 is mounted between the channel members 14. A sto 32 is provided adjacent the joint between t e bell crank link 18 and the upper link 19 for the purpose of supporting the toggle formed by these two links after it is extended by the electro-responsive means 15. The abutment 33 is provided with a roller 34 which reduces the friction between it and the bell crank link 18. Arm 22 of the bell crank link 18 is provided with a roller 35 which is engaged by a block 36 carried by armature 23 of the main electro-responsive means 15. This roller 35 reduces friction and prevents binding between the arts. The rocker arm or switch operating ever 21 is pivoted on a support 37 and a' spring 38 is provided for partially counterbalancing the eight of the parts and cushposition by the auxiliary electro-responsive means 16. -In this position the main electroresponsive means 15 will be'deenergized and will therefore consume no power after extending the toggle. The parts indicated by dotted lines in this figure of the drawing show the position of the toggle after the auxiliary electro-responsive means 16 has moved the pivot end of link 17 into operative position, and before the main electroresponsive means 15 has operated to extend the toggle mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the lever 40- is shown pivoted on a supporting shaft 41 and is attached to a switch rod 43. The switch rod 43 carries moving contacts which make contact with stationary terminals 44 and control the flow of current through the lines 46. In this case the lever 40 operates as a back-motion device between the switch rod 43 and the toggle mechanism. With this arrangement the contacts 44 and 45 will be held closed when the toggle mechanism is extended and allowed to open when the toggle mechanism is collapsed. v

The control circuit of the electro-responsive means 15 and 16 are shown as having a manually operated switch 47 for controlling the cncrgization of the auxiliary, or holding, electrO-responsive means 15. WVhen the switch 47 is closed a second circuit is established by contacts 26 which control the circuit of the main electro-rcsponsive means 15. This circuit passes through the contacts 26, limit switch 27 and contacts 28 to the main electro-responsive means 15 and back to the control lines 48.

The operation of my electric operating mechanism may be explained as follows. Referring to Fig. 4 the switch contacts 44 and 45 are shown open and the control circuits of the electro-responsive means 15 and 16 are also open. Assume that it is desired to close the switch contacts 44 and 45. The operator first closescontrol switch 47 to energize the electro-responsive means 16. This causes the armature 24 to be picked up and to move the movable pivot at the upper end of link 17 into operative osition. As the rma e 2 i Picked "P It se ses t e tacts 26 to close At this point of the operation the toggle mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 3. When the contacts 26 are closedthey complete the circuit of the main electro-responsive means 15 and cause the armature 23 to be picked up so as to engage the extending arm 22 of the bell crank member 18, extend the toggle mechanism,

and rock the rocking arm 21, thus closing the switch contacts 44 and 45. When the toggle mechanism is being extended and at a point near the dead center of the toggle mechanism the bell crank member 18 comes into engagement with the plunger 29 of the limit switch 27, opens the circuit of the main electro-responsive means 15 and the inertia of the moving parts throws the toggle mechanism over its dead center. This opening of the circuit of the main electroresponsive means 15 permits the armature 23 to drop back to its normal position. The switch contacts 44 and 45 will then be held in the closed position until the circuit controlling the electro-responsive means 16 is opened. This control circuit can be either hand or automatically operated. drawing it is shown as hand operated. From the above it will be seen that I have provided a switch operating means capable of exerting consider-able power, while at the same time I have provided means whereby the operating mechanism can be held in its final or extended position with a very small consumption of energy, and low voltage drop-out protection is obtained at the same time.

To open the main switch contact 44 and 45, the operator opens the control switch 47. This deenergizes the electro-responsive means 16 and permits armature 24 to drop back. As the armature 24 drops back the link 17 and the movable pivot at its upper end are moved with it toward the stop 30. As the bell crank member 18 moves with its floating pivot, it will come into engagement with the abutment 33 at a point where the toggle mechanism is approaching its dead center and when it strikes the abutment 33 the toggle will be thrown over its dead center and will be caused to collapse, thereby causing the contacts 44 and 45 to be opened quickly.

The embodiment of myinvention illus trated in Figs. 5 to 7, is similar to that illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, and like numerals refer to like parts. In these figures a plurality of movable devices is shown as a reversing switch having switch elements 10 and 10, each element having an actuating mechanism, such as a. toggle mechanism operatively connected thereto, switch element 10 being connected -to toggle mechanism 11 and switch element 10 being connected to toggle mechanism 11'. The switch element 10' is shown in the In the closed position and. its associated parts are indicated with numerals with a'prime mark whereas switch element 10 18 shown in the open position and its associated parts are mdicated by plain numerals. Each of the toggle mechanisms is controlled by an electro-responsive device, the toggle mechanism 11 being controlled by the electroresponsive device 16 and the toggle mechanism 11 being controlled by the electro-responsive device 16. These electroresponsive devices control their own toggle mechanisms and place them in position to be operated; that is, in condition to be stra ghtened. A single electro-responsive device 15 straightens any one of the toggle mechanisms which has been placed in condition to be straightened. Each electro-responsive device 16, 16 is connected through interlocks with the electro-responsive device 15 so as to render the energization of device 15 dependent upon the prior energ zation of one of the electro-responsive devices 16 or 16'. Each toggle mechanism has a limit switch, toggle mechanism 11 has limit switch 27 and toggle mechanism 11 has limit switch 27 controlled thereby, each limit switch being operated by the straightenlng of its toggle to deenergize the electro-responsive device 15. With such an arrangement, the duplication of the heavy and expensive device 15 for each toggle mechanism is avoided.

Referring to' these figui'es more in detail, the block 36, carried by armature 23 of the main electro-responsive means 15, engages a roller 50 which is carried by a hinged member 51. This hinged member 51 is provided with arms 52 and is secured to the channel members 14 by supports 53 and a shaft 54 upon which it is pivoted. When the block 36 is moved upwardly by the electro-responsive means 15, it will move the hinged member 51 upwardly and cause one of the arms 52 to engage either roller 35 or 35 depending upon which one of these rollers is in operative position.

The winding of the electro-responsive means 15, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, is connected in common with the circuits of two independent auxiliary electro-responsive means 16 and 16 and is arranged to be energized only after one or the other of these means 16 or 16 have been caused to operate by the closing of their respective control circuits. When one of these control circuits is closed the corresponding electro-responsive means 16 or 16 will move the corresponding pivot end of lever 17 or 17 into operative position and close the circuit of the main electro-responsive means 15. This will cause armature 23 to move upwardly and move the hinged member 51 about its pivot 53. As the hinged member 51 moves upwardly one of its arms 52 will engage either roller 35 or in. As shown in the drawings electro-respon ive means 16 has just been energized and its corresponding toggle extended and the armature 523 of the main electro-responsive means 15 has returned to its initial position. From the drawing it will be evident that either of these toggles can be extended at will and in any order desired by merely energizing the proper auxiliary re ponsive means.

The operation of this embodiment of my invention can be best explained by referring to Fig. 7, and since the parts are arranged to operate as a reversing switch, the toggles are therefore arranged to operate independently. The switch elements are shown as connected direct l v to the operating levers 21 and 21 and each ol the switch elements is arranged to be closed when its toggle mechanism is extended.

A controller .55 is shown for controlling the circuits ot the auxiliary electro-responsive means 16 and 16'. The controller is provided with three positions; namely, a neutral position, a forward position and a reverse position. IVhen the controller is in the forward position the auxiliary electroresponsive means 16 will be energized and its corresponding toggle extended. The main switch contacts ll and will then be closed and the controlled motor energized so that it will run in the forward direction. \Vhen the controller handle is in the reverse position the auxiliary electro-responsive means 16 will be energized and its corre sponding toggle and main switch will be ac tuated and the motor will then be energized to run in the reverse direction. In this figure of the drawing the controller 51 is shown in the forward position and the anxiliary electroresponsive mean; 16 is therefore energized, its corresponding toggle mechanism extended and the switch contacts 41- and 45' are. in the closed position. Under these conditions the motor under control will be running in the forward direction. Assume now that it is de ired to re- \UISO the ontrolled motor. The operator will more the handle of controller from the forward position to the reverse position. This will deenergize the electro-responsive means 16 and permit its corresponding toggle mechanism to collapse and thereby open contacts 44. and 45'. As toggle mechanism collapses the interlock LT will be permitted to close and the contacts 26 on armature 24 will be opened. This places the. circuit of the main responsive means 15 in condition to be again energized when the contacts 36 on armature 24 are clozcd. It should also be noted that the arm 22 and roller 25' have been moved out of the path of the block 36 carried by armature .23, of the main electroresponsive means 15, thus providing 111eehanical means in addition to the electrical means which will insure against closure of both main switches at the same time. \Vhen the controller handle is moved over and the controller 55 is in its reverse position, power will flow from control lines 48 and energize the auxiliary electro-responsive means 16. Under these conditions armature 24 will be picked up and the pivot end of link 17 will be moved into operative position. This will also move the arm 22 and roller 35 into the path of block 36 carried by armature 23, and when the contacts 26 close the electro-responsive mean; 15 will be ener gized. The magnet 23 will then move upwardly and extend the toggle mechanism cooperating with electro-responsive means 16. After this toggle is partially extended and at a time when the inertia of the parts will throw the toggle over center the interlock 27 will be opened and thus the main electroresponsive means 15 will be deenergized and permitted to return to its initial position. The motor will then continue to run in the reverse direction until the controller handle is moved to either its neutral or forward position. Should it be desired to stop the motor, the operator would move the controller handle to its neutral position. This would deenergize each of the electro-responsive means 16 and 16.

I desire it to be understood that the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 5 to 7, can be used to operate more than two switches and that is applicable to switches generally and not limited to reversing switches, and that many changes can be made in the embodiments of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 2- 1. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, an electro-responsive means for initiating the straightening of said toggle to move said device into operative position and for holding said device in said posit-ion, a second elect-roresponsive means for completing the straightening of said toggle and the movement of said device to said position to be held therein by said first electroresponsive means and interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of the second said eleetro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of said first electro-responsivo means.

2. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, a plurality of separately operable electro-responsive means controlling the straightening of said toggle to move said device into operative position, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of one of said electro-responsive means dependout upon prior energization of the "other electro-responsive means, and a limit switch for deenergizing said first mentioned electrorespons-ive means when the toggle has been straightened.

3. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism ope-ratively connected to said device, a plurality of separately operable electro-responsive means controlling the straightening of said toggle to move said device into operative position, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of one of said electro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of the other electro-responsive means, and a limit switch operated by the straightening-of said toggle for deenergizing said first mentioned elect-roresponsive means.

4. In combination, a. movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, a plurality of separately operable electro-responsive means controlling the straightening of said toggle to move said device into operative position, the operation of one of said electro-responsive means placing said toggle in condition to be straightened by the operation of the other of said electro-responsive means to be held therein by said first electroresponsive means, and interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said second electromesponsive means dependent upon prior energization of the first mentioned electro-responsive means.

5. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, a plurality of separately operable electro-re-sponsive means controlling ,the straightening of said toggle to move said device into operative position, the operation of one of said electro-responsive means placing said toggle in condition to be straightened by the operation of the other of said electro-responsive means, interlocking electrical connect-ions for said electroresponsive means for rendering theenergization of said second electro-rcsponsive means dependent upon prior energization of the first mentioned electro-responsive means, and a limit switch for dccnergizing said second mentioned electro-responsivc means when the toggle has been straightened.

6. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism o-peratively connected to said device, a plurality of separately operable electro-responsive means cont-rolling the straightening of said toggle to move said device into operative position, the operation of one of said electro-responsive means placing said toggle in condition to be straightened by the operation of the other of said electroresponsive. means, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said second eleotro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of the first mentioned electro-responsive means, and a limit switch operated by the straightening of said toggle to deenergizc said second electro-responsive means.

7. An electric operating mechanism, comprising a toggle mechanism, having a plurallty of links, actuating means therefor, a floating pivot between two of said links, an

-electro-responsive device for controlling the position 01 said pivot, and an abutment cooperating with said pivot to collapse said toggle mechanism when said electro-responsive device is deencrgizcd.

8. An electric operating mechanism comprising atoggle mechanism having a bell crank member, actuating means coope ii-ting with said bell crank member to extend said toggle mechanism, a floating pivot for said bell crank member, an electro-responsive device for controlling the position of said pivot, and an abutment cooperating with said floating pivot to collapse said toggle mechanism when said electro-responsiv-e means is deenergized.

9. An electric operating mechanism, comprising a toggle mechanism having three links, electro-responsive means for extending said toggle mechanism, an actuating member connected to the end of one of said links, a floating pivot between the other two of said links, elect-ro-responsive means for controlling the position of said pivot, and means for causing said last mentioned electro-responsive means to move said floating pivot into operative position before said first mentioned electro-responsive means can operate to extend said toggle.

10. An electric operating mechanism comprising a toggle mechanism having three links, forming two toggles, and clectro-responsive means acting in opposite directions to each other for extending each of said toggles.

1.1. In combination, a movable device, an electric operating mechanism therefor comprising a toggle mechanism having three links, forming two toggles, astationary support for one end of said toggle mechanism, and operating means connected to said movable device at the other end of said toggle mechanism. and electro-responsive means for extending first one and then the other of said toggles.

12. In combination, a movable'device, an electric operating mechanism therefor comprising a toggle mechanism having three links, one being pivotally connected to a stationary support, another being pivotally connected to an operating means for said movable device and a third being connected bell j tween the above mentioned links, and a plurality ot' electro-responsive means acting in opposite directions for causing said third link to assume a position substantially in line with said iirst mentioned links.

13. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism comprising a plurality of links, a floating pivot between two ot said links, an electro-responsive means controlling one element of said toggle to move said pivot into and out of operative position, a second electro-responsive means controlling another element of said toggle, and interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means :t'or rendering the energization of said second electro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of the first mentioned electro responsive means.

1%. In combination, a movable device, a. toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism comprising a plurality of links, a floating pivot be tween two of said links, an electro-responsive means controlling one element of said toggle to move said pivot into and out of operative position, a second electro-responsive means controlling another element of said toggle, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said second electro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of the lirst mentioned electro-responsive means, and a limit switch for said second electro-responsive means for deenergizing said second electro-responsive means when the toggle has been straightened.

15. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected. to said device, said toggle mechanism comprising a plurality of links, a floating pivot between two of said links, an electro-re sponsive means controlling one element of said toggle to move said pivot into and out of operative position, a second electro-responsive means controlling another element of said toggle, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means rendering the energization of said second eleetro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of the first mentioned electro-responsive means, and a limit switch operated by the straightening of said toggle for deenergizing said second electro-responsive means.

16. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism comprising a plurality of links, a floating pivot between two of said links, an electro-responsive means controlling one element of said toggle to move said pivot into and out of operative position, a second electro-responsive means controlling another element of said toggle, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means tor rendering lion ot said second electro'reins dependent upon prior en- ,ii otthe lirst mentioned electrorcsponsi e means, and an abutment cooperating with said floating pivot to collapse said toggle mechanism when said inst-mentioned electro-responsive means is deenergiaed.

17. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism comprising a plurality of links, a floating pivot between two of said links, an electro-responsive means controlling one element of said toggle to move said pivot into and out of operative position, a second eleclrowcsponsire means controlling another element of said toggle, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsi\'e means for rendering the energization of said second electroa-esponsive means dependent upon prior energization of the first mentioned electro-responsive means, a limit switch for said second electro-responsive means for deenergizing said second elcctro-responsive means when the toggle has been straightened, and an abutment cooperating with said floating pivot to collapse said toggle mechanism when said first-mentioned electro-responsive means is deenergized.

18. in combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism comprising a plurality of links, a floating pivot be tween two of said links, an electro-responsive means controlling one element of said toggle to move said pivot into and out of operative position, a second clcctro-responsire means controlling another element oi said toggle, interlocking electri al connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said second electro-respoin sire means dependent upon prior energization of the iirst mentioned electro-responsive means, a limit switch operated by the straightening of said toggle tor deenergizing said second electro-responsive means, and an abutment cooperating with said floating pivot to collapse said toggle mechanism when said first mentioned electro-responsive means is deenergized.

19. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism being biased to the broken position and arranged upon being straightened to move said device into operative position, an electro-responsive means connected to one element of the toggle mechanism, a second electroresponsive means controlling another element of said toggle mechanism, the operation of said first. mentioned electro-responsive means placing said toggle mechanism in condition to be straightened by the operation of said second electro-responsive means, and means for deenergizing said second electro-responsive means, said toggle mechanism being ar ranged to remain in said straightened position under control of the first mentioned electi'o-responsive means when *said second electro-responsive means is deenergized and to be broken upon the deenergization of said first mentioned electro-responsive means.

20. In combination, a movable device, a toggle mechanismoperatively connected to said device, said toggle mechanism being biased to the broken position and arranged upon being straightened to move said device into operative position, an electro-responsive means controlling one element of the toggle mechanisn'i, a second electro-responsive means controlling another element of said toggle mechanism, the operation of said first mentioned electro-responsive means placing said toggle in condition to be straightened by the operation of said second electro-responsive means, interlocking electrical connections for said electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said second electro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of said first mentioned electro-responsive means, and means for deenergizing said second electro-responsive means, said toggle mechanism be ing arranged to remain in said straightened position under control of the first mentioned electro-responsive means when said second electro-responsive means is deenergized and to be broken upon the deenergization of said first mentioned electro-responsive means.

21. In combination, 'a plurality of movable devices, independent actuating mechanisms operatively connected to each of said devices, an eleetro-responsive device for controlling and placing each of said actuating mechanisn'is-in a position to be operated, and a single electro-responsive device for operating any one of said actuating mechanisms as they are placed into said position to thereby move said movable device connected to the corresponding actuating mechanism.

22. In combination, a plurality of movable devices, independentactuating mechanisms operatively connected to each of said devices, an electro-responsive device for controlling and placing said actuating mechanisms in a position to be operated, a single electro-responsive device for operating any one of said mechanisms as they are placed into said position to thereby move said movable device connected to the corresponding actuating mechanism, and interlocking electrical connections for rendering the energization' of said single electro-responsive device dependent upon prior energization of one of said first mentioned electro-responsive devices.

23. In combination, a plurality of movable devices, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to each of said devices, an electro-responsive device controlling each'of said toggle mechanisms for placing each of said toggle mechanisms in condition to be straightened, and a single electro-responsive device for straightening any one of said toggle mechanisms which has been placed in condition to be straightened.

24C. In combination, a plurality of movable devices, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to each of said devices, an electroresponsive device controlling each of said toggle mechanisms for placing each of said toggle. mechanisms in condition to be straightened, a single electro-responsive device t'or straightening any one of said toggle mechanisms which has been placed in condition to be straightened, and interlocking electrical connections between said first mentioned electro-responsive means and said second electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said single electro-responsive means dependent upon prior energization of one of said first mentioned electro-responsive means.

25. In combination, a plurality of movable devices, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to each of said devices, an electro-responsive device controlling each of said toggle mechanisms for placing each of said toggle mechanisms in condition to be straightened, a single electro-responsive device for straightening any one of said toggle mecha nisms which has been placed in condition to be straightened, and a limit switch for each of said toggle mechanisms operated by the straightening of said toggle to deenergize said single electro-responsive means.

26. In combination, a plurality of movable devices, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to each of said devices, an electroresponsive device controlling each of said toggle mechanisms for placing each of said toggle mechanisms in condition to be straightened, a single electro-responsive device for straightening any one of said toggle mechanisms which has been placed in condition to be straightened, interlocking electrical connections between said first mentioned electro-responsive means and said second electro-responsive means for rendering the energization of said single electroresponsive means dependent upon prior energization of one of said first mentioned electro-responsive means, and a limit switch for each of said toggle mechanisms operated by the straightening of said toggle to deenergize said single electro-responsive means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of March, 1924.

CHARLES L. PERRY.

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